Disposed

Letter Pettion by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena Dated 29TH June 2026 v. State of Madhya Pradesh

NGT9 Sept 2026Original Application No. 196/2026

Case brief

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What is this about?

The Green Tribunal disposed of a letter petition alleging continued silica dust emissions and non-compliance by a mining factory in Meghnagar, directing the State Pollution Control Board and District Collector to inspect and report within three months.

What did the court decide?

Direction to State Pollution Control Board, District Jhabua Collector and Mining Department to inspect the factory and take remedial actions, with a report to be submitted to the Tribunal within three

Letter Pettion by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena Dated… — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2026)

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Item No.01

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL CENTRAL ZONE BENCH, BHOPAL (THROUGH PHYSICAL HEARING (WITH HYBRID OPTION)

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Original Application No.196/2026(CZ)

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Letter Petition by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena dated 29.06.2026 Suo Moto

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Vs.

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State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. Respondent(s)

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Date of Hearing: 09.09.2026

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEO KUMAR SINGH, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON'BLE MR. SUDHIR KUMAR CHATURVEDI, EXPERT MEMBER

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For Applicant (s): None For Respondent(s) : None

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ORDER

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The letter petition by “ Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena” dated 29^th June, 2026, has mentioned the following- irregularities and problems.

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Subject: Regarding Complaint About the Spread of Silicosis Due to Silica Dust Emissions from an Industry

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i. With reference to the above subject, a quartz (silica) grinding factory is operating under the name Samruddha Mines and Minerals on Plot Nos. 6 and 7 of the Meghnagar Industrial Area. The factory is emitting large quantities of silica dust into the surrounding environment. Continuous exposure to this silica dust causes the incurable occupational disease silicosis, due to which many workers have been affected and several have lost their lives.

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ii. Complaints regarding this issue were submitted by the villagers, and the matter was also widely reported in newspapers. Following these complaints, the Pollution 1

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O.A. No.196/2026(CZ) Letter Petition by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena dated 29.06.2026 Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.

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Control Board conducted an inspection and, after confirming the violations, ordered the closure of the industry. However, the factory has resumed operations and is now emitting even more silica dust than before. Photographs are enclosed as evidence, clearly showing the continued emission of dust which proves that the owners no longer fear the Pollution Control Board, as they appear to have been allowed to continue their activities without effective enforcement.

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iii. Board is requested to save lives of peoples as it is their responsibility. Failing prompt action, we will be compelled to initiate a public movement and seek appropriate legal remedies before the competent court.

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As per complaint previously made, the State Pollution Control Board, has taken action, and some of the units closed, but later on, it was again made operational.

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Silicosis is an irreversible, progressive, and incurable occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of microscopic respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust particles. While traditionally associated as a localized workplace hazard, uncontrolled emissions of silica dust from industrial sites present a serious public health risk to nearby residential areas and surrounding ecosystems.

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Major Sources of Industrial Silica Dust

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Industries processing minerals and earth materials generate significant quantities of airborne silica through high-energy mechanical operations. Key sources include:

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Mining & Quarrying: Drilling, blasting, rock crushing, and material transport.

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O.A. No.196/2026(CZ) Letter Petition by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena dated 29.06.2026 Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.

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Manufacturing: Engineered (artificial) stone cutting, ceramic production, glass manufacturing, and metal foundries.

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Construction & Infrastructure: Concrete grinding, masonry work, tunneling, and demolition activities.

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Industrial operations emit fine particles of crystalline silica often smaller than 5 micrometers in diameter that remain airborne for extended periods and can travel significant distances. When inhaled, these fine particles penetrate deep into the alveoli. The body's immune response attempts to neutralize the particles, triggering chronic inflammation. Over time, this results in irreversible pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lung tissue). The consequences are progressive shortness of breath (dyspnea), persistent dry cough, fatigue, and chest pain, severe impairment of lung function, respiratory failure, and cardiac strain (cor pulmonale) and increased vulnerability to Tuberculosis (Silico tuberculosis), COPD, kidney disease, and Lung Cancer.

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Without stringent emission controls such as wet-suppression systems, sealed enclosures, and HEPA filtration-dust escapes plant boundaries. Prevailing winds transport airborne silica to adjacent neighborhoods, placing non-occupational populations, including children and the elderly, at risk of chronic ambient exposure.

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Mitigation & Prevention Measures

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Engineering Controls: Implementation of high-efficiency local exhaust ventilation (LEV), automated wet-cutting techniques, and closed-loop dust collection systems.

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Environmental Monitoring: Real-time air quality monitoring at industrial fence lines to ensure ambient exposure remains within safe regulatory thresholds.

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O.A. No.196/2026(CZ) Letter Petition by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena dated 29.06.2026 Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.

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Administrative & Personal Controls: Strict facility hygiene protocols, personal protective equipment

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(N95/FFP3 respirators) for workers, and mandatory wash stations to prevent fugitive dust dispersion outside the facility.

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The matter, as reported is serious in nature and requires through inspection by the State Pollution Control Board, District Jhabua Collector Office and the Mining Department for taking necessary and remedial actions. In case it is found that the units are violating the environmental norms, remedial measures must be taken, and in case of non-compliance, the matter be reported to this Tribunal by the MP Pollution Control Board within three months.

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A copy of this application and relevant documents with the copy of the orders is communicated to the Member Secretary, State Pollution Control Board, Madhya Pradesh and District Jhabua Collector Office, with direction to take necessary actions in consultation with the Mining Department, and to communicate the same to Registrar of this Tribunal within three months.

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With these observations the Original Application No.196/2026(CZ) stands disposed of .

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Sheo Kumar Singh, JM

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Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, EM

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09^th September, 2026, Original Application No.196/2026(CZ) AR

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O.A. No.196/2026(CZ) Letter Petition by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena dated 29.06.2026 Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.

Letter Pettion by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena Dated 29TH June 2026 v. State of Madhya Pradesh

Case brief

What is this about?

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Letter Pettion by Rashtriya Adiwasi Kranti Sena Dated 29TH June 2026 v. State of Madhya Pradesh

Case brief

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What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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